EISA announces awards in photographic products

August 15, 2018August 21, 2018 GaryPageau awards, EISA

EISA Awards 2018-19: Awarding performance and innovation in Consumer Electronics

EISA, the Expert Imaging & Sound Association (www.eisa.eu) reveals the winners of its 2018-2019 Awards. Technical experts from over 55 leading specialist magazines and websites in 27 countries across the world have recognized and awarded no fewer than 74 products as the best in their categories. These include the EISA OLED TV, EISA SMART LOUDSPEAKER, EISA CAMERA OF THE YEAR and EISA BEST BUY SMARTPHONE.

For nearly 40 years EISA has been selecting the most innovative, cutting-edge products for its prestigious EISA Awards. The Awards are debated and voted upon by groups of specialist judging panels covering the full spectrum of consumer electronics and photographic products, including Hi-Fi, Home Theatre, In-Car Electronics, Photo, Video and Mobile Devices (the full list of awards follows at end of this press release). Key to the success and relevance of the annual EISA Awards lies in the evolution of its categories, always reflecting the changing trends and technologies of the consumer electronics world.

Moreover, the Association itself continues to evolve, as 2018 was not only the year that EISA welcomed new members from India, Japan and Hong Kong/China but also reflected its global expansion with a subtle change of emphasis: the EISA acronym from the European Imaging and Sound Association becoming the Expert Sound and Imaging Association.

To win an EISA award all products undergo a comprehensive multi-step judging process. Products are intensively tested at the facilities of individual EISA member magazines and are also presented at the Association’s annual Convention in Antwerp in May. Products that pass this stage already rank among the best in the world. The final deliberations take place at EISA’s annual general meeting in June where a democratic voting process establishes a consensus of excellence and determines the winning products (see ‘About EISA’, below, for more details).

EISA Award-winning products can be promoted with an exclusive EISA Award logo and short video, design for social media channels, both providing a clear visual buying recommendation.

Paul Miller, President of EISA says, “The collaboration of some 55 specialist magazines and websites from across the greater European continent, Australia and the USA brings with it a unique pool of experience that informs each and every EISA Award. So whether consumers are looking to purchase a feature-rich Smartphone, a versatile camera solution or a pair of high-end floor standing loudspeakers, the EISA Awards are their unequivocal guide to the cream of today’s entertainment technologies.”

About EISA

What is EISA?

EISA is the world’s largest independent collaboration of experts in multimedia technologies and offers a unique, global viewpoint of the consumer electronics market. For nearly 40 years EISA’s Awards have provided the ultimate independent consumer technology buying recommendations.

Who chooses the EISA Awards?

The EISA Awards are chosen annually by Expert Groups representing 55 leading Photography, Home Theatre Video, Home Theatre Audio, Hi-Fi, In-Car and Mobile Electronics magazines and websites from 27 countries. The Expert Groups work independently, but collaborate under the umbrella of EISA. Only one magazine from each Expert Group may represent each country.

How are products nominated for the EISA Awards?

Technical experts from the specialist magazines in each Expert Group produce regular, detailed and objective test reports on Photo, Home Theatre Video, Home Theatre Audio, Hi-Fi, In-Car and Mobile Electronics equipment. Each member magazine nominates an initial shortlist of products to be considered atthe Expert Groups’ voting sessions, held during EISA’s Annual Awards Meeting. The shortlist reflects eachmagazine’s test findings, based on the results of the magazine’s standard test procedures. Representatives of all member magazines attend the meeting, where the final shortlist of nominated products is thoroughlydebated, according to EISA’s rules. All nominations are kept strictly confidential.

What products are eligible for nomination?

All products – with the exception of those awarded for Innovation or Design – must have been available for detailed test evaluation by the magazines in each Expert Group. Products are only considered if they have been available for assessment before 1 July by at least five member magazines in the appropriate Expert Group. Awarded products must also be on sale to the general public in at least 10 countries, no later than 1 October in the year the Award is made. Awarded products sold on a pre-ordered basis must be delivered to the customer within two weeks of ordering, and by 14 October at the latest. (The pre-ordering exception is only applicable to products priced at €5000 or over)

What makes an EISA award-winning product?

Every year, the EISA Awards celebrate those new products that offer a combination of the most advanced technology, the most desirable features, the most functional ergonomics and – of course – the best performance for the money. In essence, EISA highlights the products most likely to be appreciated by consumers seeking versatility, style and performance.

When are the EISA Awards presented?

Every year, the EISA Awards are presented during an official ceremony, attended by all representatives ofEISA’s member magazines and websites. Presidents of the winning companies are also officially invited. The ceremony currently takes place every year at IFA Berlin, the world’s largest consumer electronics trade fair.

When will EISA magazines/websites report the winning products?

Each member magazine publishes the EISA Awards from its particular Expert Group(s) after the August 15 embargo date. See www.eisa.eu/faq for more details.

Awards List – This list was edited to include only photographic category products. The complete list is here.